[23109VC]

I am a current owner of a 2018 M550i. I picked it up not too long ago and have had it slightly less than a year. I still love it, but wonder if I might be happier with an M5. I have driven an F90 M5 Comp but it was several years ago, quite a while before I got my M550. I'm debating about swapping out to an M5 in about a year. I'd trade in the M550 and get a lightly used F90 / CPO - like a 2020 or 2021. I love the daily drivability of my M550, but sometimes wish it was a bit more raw in sport plus mode. The handling is good but not "great". The power it amazing but I know I'd like more. I don't want to void my warranty so I have not tuned my car and doubt I would tune the M5 either - but that extra power of the M5 would likely be enough to keep me happy. My M550 is honestly "fast enough" but I'd like a bit more power up top. I sometimes feel like the M550 is a beast off the line, but the power seems less intense once rolling.

Anyone upgrade to the M5 and care to sum up what they felt about the change? Anything about the M550 that you miss?

I do like how in comfort mode the car is absolutely smooth and quiet…I am hoping that an M5 in comfort mode would still be civilized to be a daily driver. I have three kids, but they are older. 14, 16, and 20. I don't often have the "whole family" in my car, but we do some long drives. The M550 really is kind of like two cars in one - in comfort mode it is super docile and in sport plus mode the suspension/shifts/sound is totally transformed..I just want the performance envelope to increase on teh sporty side, without totally giving up the "comfort" side of the car.

Thanks for any of your thoughts or observations.

[sandwi54]

I did exactly that, going from M550i to M5. Well it's my wife's car but I drive it a lot too. I drive a F80 myself for 7 years now.

M550i is just a 550i with a M badge on it. Other than the V8 engine, everything else is the same as a regular 5 series. M5 is a completely different car. The sharp handling and steering response make the M5 like a leopard ready to pounce. There's just no comparison. If you are already not satisfied with the M550i, then you'll never be happy not upgrading to a M5.

Make the switch.

[jzy]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

I am a current owner of a 2018 M550i. I picked it up not too long ago and have had it slightly less than a year. I still love it, but wonder if I might be happier with an M5. I have driven an F90 M5 Comp but it was several years ago, quite a while before I got my M550. I'm debating about swapping out to an M5 in about a year. I'd trade in the M550 and get a lightly used F90 / CPO - like a 2020 or 2021. I love the daily drivability of my M550, but sometimes wish it was a bit more raw in sport plus mode. The handling is good but not "great". The power it amazing but I know I'd like more. I don't want to void my warranty so I have not tuned my car and doubt I would tune the M5 either - but that extra power of the M5 would likely be enough to keep me happy. My M550 is honestly "fast enough" but I'd like a bit more power up top. I sometimes feel like the M550 is a beast off the line, but the power seems less intense once rolling.

Anyone upgrade to the M5 and care to sum up what they felt about the change? Anything about the M550 that you miss?

I do like how in comfort mode the car is absolutely smooth and quiet…I am hoping that an M5 in comfort mode would still be civilized to be a daily driver. I have three kids, but they are older. 14, 16, and 20. I don't often have the "whole family" in my car, but we do some long drives. The M550 really is kind of like two cars in one - in comfort mode it is super docile and in sport plus mode the suspension/shifts/sound is totally transformed..I just want the performance envelope to increase on teh sporty side, without totally giving up the "comfort" side of the car.

Thanks for any of your thoughts or observations.

Same questions asked by you back in September. Was there not enough feedback for you then???

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1855977

[23109VC]

Originally Posted by jzy

Same questions asked by you back in September. Was there not enough feedback for you then???

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1855977

Ha I totally forgot I posted that! I must have gotten the M5 urge out of my system and now it's creeping back…

Or maybe I'm starting to get dementia… but I'm only 50…

[jzy]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

Ha I totally forgot I posted that! I must have gotten the M5 urge out of my system and now it's creeping back…

Or maybe I'm starting to get dementia… but I'm only 50…

LOL. Well, the way I see it is you just need to make the switch if these M5 urges keep staying in your system. I was on the same boat as you.

[Ptoscano911]

Just do it already! Switched from a tuned 650. No comparison. Period end of story. Car is ridiculous

[SatinblkF90]

Originally Posted by Ptoscano911

Just do it already! Switched from a tuned 650. No comparison. Period end of story. Car is ridiculous

Now go tune the m5!

[pbonsalb]

If you are happy with the power of the M550, keep it. They looks great, are more comfortable and very few people actually use all of the performance of the M5. If you really needed the added performance, you would know and would not be asking. For me, it was no question — I did not even look at the M550 and have modded the M5. If you really want handling, look at smaller and lighter cars — even the M5 feels like a barge in comparison though it has very high limits if you drive it hard.

[VPRKLR]

I came out of a 18' M550i. Different cars, the M550 has a more compliant ride then M5 but has most of the power. M5 is a bad ass car period.
It's all about what's more important to you.

[Boosted_8]

Just to offer an alternative view point (I know this is the M5 sub forum but hey), what about the LCI M550i / M850i GC? They have the 530ps N63 Top output and are a proper middle ground between the 4 and 6 pots and the M cars. I largely agree with the observations in this review: https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews...xdrive-review/

[snowbimmer]

My 2018 M550 was an awesome car. I can only imagine what the LCI version with 523 hp must be like. If you lived in a bubble and never knew the M5 existed you'd be thrilled to death. But, the M5 DOES exist. The M550 might be a slightly better daily than the LCI M5 Comp, might be, but that's where it ends. That's what you get for a 25k premium. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

And don't even get me started on how great it is on a long road trip……

[smbsocal]

I didn't own a M550 but I recently test drove both prior to purchasing my M5.

I agree with everyone here.

The M550 will be a more compliant ride, lighter steering and have most of the power the M5 has.

The M5 will have a stiffer suspension but it isn't bad at all for a performance vehicle. The M5 steering and power output is much more direct and responsive.

I went with the M5 giving up the additional comfort to avoid the floaty feeling, suspension and steering, I felt with the M550.

[23109VC]

Originally Posted by smbsocal

I didn't own a M550 but I recently test drove both prior to purchasing my M5.

I agree with everyone here.

The M550 will be a more compliant ride, lighter steering and have most of the power the M5 has.

The M5 will have a stiffer suspension but it isn't bad at all for a performance vehicle. The M5 steering and power output is much more direct and responsive.

I went with the M5 giving up the additional comfort to avoid the floaty feeling, suspension and steering, I felt with the M550.

Thanks for all of the comments. I am going to arrange a test drive and try one out - and I'll see it I'm enticed enough to want to make the change.

[Joe-BMW33]

I have the M550 and have test drove many of the F90's in all varieties, C, CS, M only. I guess I would not say the M550 is just a 550 with an M on it. It's definitely not an M-only car, but it is definitely closer to an M5 and than the F10 550i was to the F10 M5. (thank you BMW for that) Slap a modest Dinan tune on it and it's even closer power wise.

In terms of the other touches that separate the F90 from the M550 like the seats and slightly different bumpers, the M5 is meaner looking. The seats are debatable in terms of comfort. They are better for the track, which brings me to my last point, comfort, ride quality and where you live.

The M5 is almost impossible to drive in the Boston area with the crappy roads. There is no real comfort mode. It's like riding on uneven pavers all the time and the sportier the settings, the more uneven the pavers.

I day dream all the time when I look at one on the dealer lot, but it is just not practical. If I lived in CA or FL, in a heartbeat, but not because I think it is head and shoulders above the M550, I just always wanted an M5 (only). The M550 is as close to an M5 as BMW has ever made a sub model on the same chasis. Inside and out and under the hood.

All this said, I've come to the conclusion that handling is more important to me than stepping on the gas and if I have to have a car I can only selectively drive under perfect conditions, it just make more sense to take my $125k plus to the Porsche dealership. Planning on adding a 911 to the stable in the spring. That will be my M5 without the god damn body roll. It will be a nice compliment to the M550.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

I did exactly that, going from M550i to M5. Well it's my wife's car but I drive it a lot too. I drive a F80 myself for 7 years now.

M550i is just a 550i with a M badge on it. Other than the V8 engine, everything else is the same as a regular 5 series. M5 is a completely different car. The sharp handling and steering response make the M5 like a leopard ready to pounce. There's just no comparison. If you are already not satisfied with the M550i, then you'll never be happy not upgrading to a M5.

Make the switch.

Damn, this is going to sound sexist, but shouldn't those cars be the other way around??;-) I am glad she let's you drive it. Just giving you shit, kind of.

[plutnicki]

I had a 2018 M550, I have a 2021 M5 Competition. I daily drive it (Southern NH through North of Boston). It is the ideal car, everything the M550 had, but more. Looks better, drives better, faster, better seats, best color (MBB), getting my winter tires installed Friday so I can keep driving it.

I also always wanted an M5, now I have one, couldn't be happier with it. Probably don't drive it like its meant to be driven, but I don't care. Whenever I park it, wherever it is, I always look over my shoulder to give it one last look as I walk away.

I leased it but even 10 months in, I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep it. Almost every other car I've owned ( a lot ), 10 months in I was window shopping for the next one. Not this car...

[99540]

I had an 18' M550 - drove it to 45k miles and returned it, it was an amazing car that fit all needs.

Forgetting the power difference, the m5 is in a totally different league, just a different type of animal. The drive the feel the rush all puts you in a different atmosphere than the m550, i still loved the m550 but they just don't compare. If you have the ability to swing it just do it!

As for Porsche good luck at the dealership with 125k -

[Jambo1]

Agree with all the posts here. I do want to emphasize that while the power on both models is close, there is a level of viciousness and brutality that the M5 possesses that just is not present with the M550. Similarities end when the slight differences as an aggregate make sense of it all.

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Damn, this is going to sound sexist, but shouldn't those cars be the other way around??;-) I am glad she let's you drive it. Just giving you shit, kind of.

Haha you are not the first person to ask that. The truth is, she likes the massage and ventilated seats, and all the other luxury items that are only available on the 5 series, so naturally she gets the M5.

Plus I love my M3 anyway. It's a more agile car and more fun to drive than the M5.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 99540

I had an 18' M550 - drove it to 45k miles and returned it, it was an amazing car that fit all needs.

Forgetting the power difference, the m5 is in a totally different league, just a different type of animal. The drive the feel the rush all puts you in a different atmosphere than the m550, i still loved the m550 but they just don't compare. If you have the ability to swing it just do it!

As for Porsche good luck at the dealership with 125k -

You missed the "plus" after my $125k, which was a reference to where the M5 starts new. I would not be buying a 911 new and $150 will get me plenty, maybe not a turbo but certainly a 4S.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

Haha you are not the first person to ask that. The truth is, she likes the massage and ventilated seats, and all the other luxury items that are only available on the 5 series, so naturally she gets the M5.

Plus I love my M3 anyway. It's a more agile car and more fun to drive than the M5.

Your wife appreciates cars! Not common. I hear you on handling and agility, it's just not going to happen on the G30/F90. They are just too damn big, my 18 year old E39 handles better than my M550, but that's because the E39 is the same size as a current 3 series. I'll be pulling the trigger on a P car this spring for these reasons. As much as I love the G30/F90, nimble is not in the description. I'm not getting any younger and its time for a grass roots drivers car, something BMW has gotten away from a bit on the G30/F90, which is fine, I like my toys, tech and comfort, but I also love to hug the road and curves like glue. It will be a garage Queen.

I guess it's a matter of do I want my dream BMW M5 (which is really more the E39 M5 over the F90) or my dream Porsche. I think my trophy car at this point is the Porsche, especially since the money is in the same ball park and neither would be driven daily. That's what the E39 and M550 are for.

[pbonsalb]

I was in the same boat in early 2021 — shopping used F90 M5 and 991.2 911 Turbo. Had an offer accepted on a 2016 991.2 Turbo with 22k miles and $188k MSRP for $125k but it fell through. Considered a used Turbo S with similar miles at $154k but ultimately went for the practicality first. I will get both, but can’t swing that at once. The M5 has more ground clearance for snow driving, a useable back seat, and a huge trunk. You would not believe the stuff I have hauled. Lumber, tools, drywall, trash, dogs. Bought it in April and have put almost 12k miles on it. The 991.2 Turbo might have been useful enough for half that driving. My other car at the time was a modded 08 E90 M3, but I wanted a primary driver that was newer and faster and AWD and more comfortable and bigger.

If I had a 550i instead of the M3, I would have gotten the 991.2 Turbo first.